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Hi, I am a 44 year old male who has been diagnosed by 5 orthpedic surgeons as a patient needing a total hip replacement. I have had RRMS for about 20 years now and was wondering what I should expect, be aware of, etc. if I decide to proceed.

I don't believe my hips issues are steroid related. Over the course of 20 years, I have probably only done 3 or 4 flare-up cycles. I more attribute the injuries and related athritis to ms-induced hip muscle weakness combined with being physically active.

I'm a 52 year old male. I was dx with SPMS this past October. 3 years ago I was unaware of my MS, but did have my left hip replaced. My problem was bone on bone osteoarthritis. In my case it was the bone conserving hip resurfacing procedure.

There were no complications related to my MS. Even though I was unaware at the time that I had MS, apparently I have had it for at least 20 years.

Based on my experience, short of making sure everyone knows what drugs you are taking, there is no MS related reason not to proceed.

Before my hip surgery I couldn't walk10 yards without pain. Now, given that my my hip is made of chromium, I have no pain My advice would be to proceed!

To Drs SclafaniI have had MS since 1999, have had around 10 courses of high dose iv steroids (1000mg of solumedrol per day for 5 days per course), been on Avonex for 6 years and have stage 2 osteo necrosis of the left hip, probably from steroids - I have been offered the surgery where they drill little holes into the head of the femur to encourage revascularization (forget what it is called!), but I am still thinking about it.Regards

HelloI had a THA left hip (almost 15 months post op). The first couple of months I was doing very well. However, for the last, what feels like eternity, 10 plus months, I have had weight bearing pain- mostly on crutches now...'been shuttled' from test to test... now to get another 3 phase bone scan this month (as the first one suggested 'loosening'), ... be on the safe side, 2nd opinion doc said 'it's a more accurate read 15 months post op...history: I have M.S, been on Avonex for 10 years. I am 48 year old woman. Normally very active- mural painter/textile/community artist. In 1996 I had AVN/core decompression surgery.Question: is there any connection between M.S, THA, the polyethylane acet. component in my body and the chance that osteolysis is happening...?? I am doing research to see what might be possibly going on... at this point no specific components in me have been recalled, however what about the polyethylane... does my autoimmune challenge with M.S create a possibility that my body is reacting?!The initial surgeon wants to go in there and see what's going on; the 2nd opin. doc suggests I wait, as I'm doing...thoughts?thanks

Dear Dr Sclafani: My husband's first serious MS flare up occured in 2003. He started falling down at work, I took him to the Emergerency room where our GP happened to be on call. Our Dr first thought that might be Cancer in the spine. Immediately he was given an MRI where MS was discovered. He was put on a 2-4 week steroid regiment. (can't remember exactly the duration). In the past year my husband has discovered that he needs 2 hip replacements (one worse then the other). He has been wall walking since then and very slowly. Our dilema is, the surgeon doesnot want to do the surgery until he can't stand the pain any longer. His fear is that it could ascerbate the MS ( dx'd PPMS). Are you aware of this happening? I have previously posted my concerns and unfortunately know one has replied to me ...He had the liberation treatment June 2010 by Dr Simca in Poland where his walking really improved for about 6 weeks. There have been 2 scans done within the first yr of treatment, in Barrie, On & the technician said his neck was fine. Dr Simca stated that he believed his Azorles (forgot name) was okay although it was mangled ( I believe that was how it was phrased)...My husband (age 61) thinks, there may well be arthritis involved but how would we know this?..I would really appreciate any input or help that you could provide I am at my wit's end on what course of action we need to take.. Thank you...Cheers Diana

I am a 53 year old who had hip replacement surgery in May 2013. I had so much pain all over my right leg. Nothing I did would help it (treatment, medication). I am now completely out of pain although it stole my mobility which I had with a rollator before surgery. I have had MS for 18 years. I had no idea that recovery would be so difficult. I was in the hospital 3 weeks. When I got home, I couldn't go 5 minutes without having to go to the bathroom. That has cleared up, but the mobility issue is distressing, as I live alone. I don't know what will happen in the future, if I will walk again. If you can stand the pain, don't do it. No one told me what I was in for. I am trying to do everything I can to walk again, and I won't give up as I used to be very active.

Hiya, i'm going to be having a hip replacement tomorrow. Yep, nervous. It's was having that or suffering for a long time. I also believe that it was the Presdisplone steroid treatment which has worn away my hip structure. I'm 37 years old living in damp old England United kingdom. I would be lying if I said I haven't had any distress from the ex rebating pain, certainly have. To reduce the inflammation was a beer awaiting an operation, I was prescribed naproxen. I have found this to be useful somewhat. My other coping mechanism is to distract best I can. Although it is easier said than done. My other coping mechanisms are staying away from people who are miserable.

I will give you my take on things.I think MS and arthritis are related, are auto immune diseases, caused by the herpes family.In MS, the herpes virus anchors in permissible cells, that is the OPCs, in time of immune deficiency establishing transgenic cells, without immune memory established. I think inflammation of the sinus cartilage is an collateral issue. Later on, if infected again - may be a chronic EBV infection - immune complexes cross react with transgeneic cells causing autoimmunity i.e the reaction against the self.In arthritis, the same process takes place. The herpes virus archors in the cartilage between the joints in times of immune deficiency without immune memory established making cells transgenic. Later on, this invokes autoimmunity of the joints in the same way.The common thing in MS and arthritis is the virus.See also the last few pages of general-discussion-f1/topic15188-585.htmlYou don't have to believe me, but at least read the pages and think it over.

If it was me I would find a physio, or pilates instructor who would focus on building my fitness and muscle tone as much as possible before surgery. If you're going to do it then get as strong as you can beforehand. If it hurts beforehand you want to give yourself the best recovery you can. Starting in a weakened state then doing the surgery doesn't sound like a great strategy for a quick recovery. It may not be comfortable but I would try to prepare for it not just go in cold.

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